What is your favorite foreign film?

I just love "Pan's Labyrinth". It is written and directed by a Mexican film maker Guillermo del Toro. The movie interweaves real world with fantasy. The world is centered around an abandoned labryrinth. The main character, Ofelia interacts with a mysterious faun creature. Ofelia's mother marries a mean Captain who hunts the Spanish Maquis, guerrillas who fight against the Franco regime. There is a link below for those interested in checking it out.

Italy:C'era una volta il West (1968) a.k.a. Once upon a time in the West
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo. (1966) a.k.a. The good, the bad and the uglyLa strada (1954) a.k.a. The Road
La vita è bella (1997) a.k.a. Life is beautiful
Le notti di Cabiria (1957) a.k.a. Nights of Cabiria
Malèna (2000)
Per qualche dollaro in più (1965) a.k.a. For a few dollars more
Per un pugno di dollari (1964) a.k.a. A fistful of dollars

I'm a big fan of Eastern films. So it will be a toss up between the likes of Ran, Yojimbo, etc, but I'll have to go with Seven Samurai. I remember watching it many moons ago, it may well have been one of the first foreign films I'd seen, and thinking it was absolutely superb. A proper epic, in my eyes. Very funny in places, and yet so serious. Loved it. I'd also like to give a special shout out to Amelie, with the scrumptious Andrey Tautou... I'd like to smother her in chocolate.

My favorite foreign film is The Closet or Le placard, a 2001 French farce about a heterosexul man who works in a condom factory. He is a dweeb about to be laid off so he pretends to be gay so he will not lose his job. It is very funny and interesting as he remains the same and the people around him start to respond to him in a different way. Lots of fun.

I watched the first two of Stieg Larsson's trilogy. Great movies! The first one was "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo". Then, "The Girl Who Played with Fire", and the last one is "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". Stieg Larsson was a Swedish writer and journalist. Prior to his sudden death of a heart attack in November 2004 he finished three detective novels in his trilogy. He was was mostly known for his struggle against racism and right-wing extremism. There is supposed to be a forth book to the triology. Here is a trailer from the movie.

Has anyone seen 4 luni, 3 săptămâni și 2 zile (a.k.a. 4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days)? I have such mixed feelings about this movie. Mainly it's anger towards many many different things. The acting (if you can call it that) is so great and realistic that you forget that you are watching a film. Given the fact that I am still so confused about abortion, I can't call this film one of my favourites but I totally recommend it and I really want to know what others think about it.

I have another romanian film as a recommandation. Eu când vreau să fluier, fluier a.k.a. If I Want To Whistle, I Whistle released early this year at the Berlin Film Festival. This is not a typical prison movie, there are no clever escape plans, no crazy shootings or long car chases. You have to give this one a fair shot and you may be pleasantly surprised. I'm glad to see that romanians can make a movie like this.